Abstract: A thermo-formed tray and tray assembly designed for the storage and transportation of integrated circuit packages for instance of the type known as a pin grid array or a flip chip pin grid array. The storage tray consists of a number of compartments or recesses usually in a layout of two or three rows by five columns. Each recess includes a central pedestal to support the integrated circuit package and an array of supports so that the chip can be held on both the obverse and reverse side of the package. The formed trays can be nested when empty and may provide storage space savings. The tray assembly includes a thermoformed tray and rigid peripheral frame, that may be injection molded peripheral frame, to give better rigidity to the assembly.

Abstract: A data storage and exchange device includes a non-volatile memory, a first interface for exchanging data between the non-volatile memory and a computer, and a second interface for exchanging data between the non-volatile memory and a mass storage device. The data storage and exchange device is operative only to exchange data between the non-volatile memory and the computer, between the computer and the mass storage device, and possibly between the non-volatile memory and the mass storage device even in the absence of the computer.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses monoclonal and chimeric antibodies that bind to lipoteichoic acid of Gram positive bacteria. The antibodies also bind to whole bacteria and enhance phagocytosis and killing of the bacteria in vitro and enhance protection from lethal infection in vivo. The mouse monoclonal antibody has been humanized and the resulting chimeric antibody provides a previously unknown means to diagnose, prevent and/or treat infections caused by gram positive bacteria bearing lipoteichoic acid. This invention also encompasses a peptide mimic of the lipoteichoic acid epitope binding site defined by the monoclonal antibody. This epitope or epitope peptide mimic identifies other antibodies that may bind to the lipoteichoic acid epitope. Moreover, the epitope or epitope peptide mimic provides a valuable substrate for the generation of vaccines or other therapeutics.

Abstract: Silicon infiltration technology is used to produce ceramic bodies having utility as ballistic armor. In a first aspect of the invention, the ballistic armor includes a reaction-bonded silicon carbide body (RBSC). Good ballistic performance can be advanced by loading the permeable mass or preform to be infiltrated to a high degree with one or more hard fillers, and by limiting the size of the largest particles making up the mass. In a second aspect, the silicon infiltration technology, e.g., siliconizing or reaction-bonding, is used to bond silicon carbide fibers to at least the back surface of a ceramic armor body, thereby enhancing ballistic stopping power. A third aspect of the invention pertains to the ability to engineer RBSC bodies such that there is little dimensional change during processing, thereby permitting high dimensional reproducibility in large-scale production.

Abstract: The method is suitable for the micromachining of accurately aligned holes in the aerofoil surface of a component such as a jet engine turbine blade or vane which comprises a ground anchorage portion and a cast aerofoil portion. The method uses a micromachining apparatus which is pre-programmed to machine holes in the aerofoil surface when that surface is in a predefined reference position and orientation in the apparatus. Initially the component is mounted in the micromachining apparatus by means of its anchorage portion. At least one probe is then moved into contact with the surface of the cast aerofoil portion to derive the positions of selected points on that aerofoil portion. From the derived position data, angular and linear offset data may be calculated to define the deviation of that cast aerofoil portion from the reference position and orientation defined in the computer memory of the micromachining apparatus.

Abstract: A water-base fluid for use in drilling wells and other drilling operation includes a shale which swells in the presence of water. The fluid preferably includes: an aqueous based continuous phase, and a shale hydration inhibition agent having the formula: H2N—R—{OR′}x—Y in which R and R′ are alkylene groups having 1 to 6 carbon atoms and x is a value from about 1 to about 25. The Y group should be an amine or alkoxy group, preferably a primary amine or a methoxy group. The shale hydration inhibition agent should be present in sufficient concentration to reduce the swelling of the shale. The fluid may be used for formulating drilling fluids such as invert emulsion drilling muds or clear brine drilling fluids. The fluid may also be used in the slurrification and disposal of drill cuttings that contain water swellable clays or shales.

Abstract: A logotype to be exposed by an electronic device is secured via a message authentication code or a public key cryptographic scheme. If a message authentication code is used, the message authentication code is re-calculated and compared to a reference message authentication code value during a boot sequence of the electronic device. If the reference message authentication code value and the re-calculated message authentication code value match, further operation of the electronic device is permitted. If the values do not match, the electronic device is disabled from further operation. If a public-key cryptographic scheme is used, the logotype is verified via a public key. If the logotype can be verified, the logotype is exposed.

Abstract: A fluid having utility in subterranean wells is formulated to include: an oleaginous fluid; and a solids tolerance agent having the formula: 1

Abstract: A system for safe collection of payment by a vehicle operator from riders, the system including a multiplicity of electronic payment receipt generators, each operable by a vehicle operator, wherein each individual one of the payment receipt generators includes an electronic purse storing an amount of electronic cash, each electronic purse including an electronic cash loader operative to use some of the electronic cash to generate a payment receipt to be given by the vehicle operator to a rider, and an electronic purse control unit operative to prevent said electronic cash loader from exceeding said amount of electronic cash, thereby limiting the vehicle operator's entitlement to collect payments from riders, and an electronic cashier purse operative to increment the electronic purse of each electronic payment receipt generator by the amount of payment collected by the vehicle operator to whom the electronic payment receipt generator is assigned.

Abstract: Active tissue augmenting agents, compositions and methods for use are disclosed. In a typical embodiment, the active augmenting agents of the invention can be used to form an artificial sphincter around a lumen of a human or animal body. In one embodiment, the active augmenting agent comprises magnitizable particles which can provide occlusion of a lumen, such as the urethral lumen, by circumferential attraction of the injected material toward the center of the lumen by the inherent magnetic flux field created from the magnetic dipoles of the magnetic particles.

Abstract: A fast-locking phase detector includes a first input that receives a first signal, a second input that receives a second signal, and a comparison circuit that generates an output current in proportion to a phase difference between the first signal and the second signal. An operating point circuit selectively maintains a first operating point of the phase detector when a phase of the first signal leads a phase of the second signal, and maintains a second operating point of the phase detector when the phase of the first signal lags the phase of the second signal. The first and second operating points are different from one another. Each of the first and second operating points causes the output current to vary substantially linearly for a predetermined range of both positive and negative phase differences between the first signal and the second signal.

Abstract: A rescue device (20) having a sled body (22), back support member (24), safety belts (26, 28, 30), and a lowering strap (32) is utilized to lower incapacitated individuals down inclined terrain such as stairs. The sled body (22) includes a plurality of reinforcing corrugations (46, 64, 72, 88, 98) and a plurality of integral components such as a U-shaped perimeter edge (44) and hand holds (92) which make the sled body (22) more rigid, so that the entire device weighs only twenty-one pounds. A hanging apparatus (128) is provided in combination with the device (20) and includes hanging arms (132) which extend through handle openings (96) of the sled body (22) to store the device (20).

Abstract: An encoded signal that comprises a plurality of received encoded signal values is received by using an error correction decoding technique to generate a plurality of decoded signals from the encoded signal, wherein the plurality of decoded signals includes one or more decoded information signals and one or more decoded error detection signals. A correction value is generated that is representative of how much correction was performed by the error correction decoding technique to generate the plurality of decoded signals. The one or more decoded error detection signals are used to generate an error detection result. The decoded information signals are then alternatively accepted or rejected as a function of the error detection result and a comparison of the correction value with a threshold value.

Abstract: This invention satisfies needs in the art by providing intimin, the Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) adherence protein, alone or as a fusion protein with one or more other antigens, expressed by transgenic plants and the use of those plants as vehicles for stimulating a protective immune response against EHEC and the one or more other antigens. Various plant species are transformed to protect various animal species and also humans against EHEC, against pathogens expressing intimin-like proteins, and against pathogens expressing any of the one or more other antigens to which intimin may be fused.

Abstract: A spin-stabilized projectile has a projectile body and a guide band being circumferentially mounted on an outer face of the projectile body. The guide band includes a plurality of axially adjoining partial guide bands. One of the partial guide bands is a first partial guide band made of copper, a copper alloy or another soft metal. One of the partial guide bands is a second partial guide band made of soft iron and axially adjoining the first partial guide band. A total axial length of all second partial guide bands is between 5% and 50% of the total axial length of the guide band.

Abstract: A magazine for a firearm having a cylindrical housing with rear and front covers and with a smooth inner surface is provided. A hollow cylinder rigidly secured to the rear cover is arranged inside the housing. A helix is formed on the outer surface of the cylinder. A separator adapted for rotation is positioned inside the housing between the housing inner surface and the helix. Longitudinal grooves are formed on the separator. A cartridge remover is secured on the rear end of the cylinder. A spring is arranged inside the cylinder. One end of the spring is rigidly connected to the rear cover, the other to the front cover. A filler is secured in the upper rear part of the housing, and a feeder is arranged in the longitudinal grooves of the separator. A casing with a protrusion for securing the magazine on the firearm is secured to the front part of the housing.

Abstract: A process for converting natural gas to a liquid includes heating the gas to a selected range of temperature to convert a fraction of the gas stream to reactive hydrocarbons, primarily ethylene or acetylene, and reacting methane and the reactive hydrocarbons in the presence of an acidic catalyst to produce a liquid, predominantly naphtha or gasoline. A portion of the incoming natural gas may be used to heat the remainder of the natural gas to the selected range of temperature. Hydrogen resulting from the reactions may be used to make electricity in a fuel cell. Alternatively, hydrogen may be burned to heat the natural gas to the selected range of temperature.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an asexually reproduced variety of perennial Zoysia matrella. The inventive variety demonstrates a unique combination of characteristics including white stigmas, purple-brown anthers, good shade tolerance and turf quality, and resistance to hunting billbug, fall armyworm, yellow patch disease, Rhizoctonia blight and zoysiagrass rust disease.